New York, NY, May 8, 2014—On June 10th, 2014, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will honor steadfast AIDS activist HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and two companies that have made a profound impact on the state of AIDS research: HBO and Calvin Klein Collection. Each will receive the prestigious Award of Inspiration at the Foundation’s 5th annual Inspiration Gala, presented by M·A·C Viva Glam and held at the Plaza in New York City. Designers Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli will accept the award on behalf of Calvin Klein Collection, and President of Programming Michael Lombardo will accept on behalf of HBO. Longtime amfAR supporter Sarah Jessica Parker will be on hand to present Lombardo with the award. Actor Josh Duhamel will serve as the event’s host.

The Inspiration Gala will feature a rare intimate performance by legendary, influential British rock band New Order, who have enjoyed enduring critical acclaim and sold out myriad stadiums over their more than three decades-long career. The black-tie benefit will also feature a gala dinner, a live auction of luxury goods, and a full-scale menswear runway show, held in the Plaza’s historic Palm Court. Proceeds from the event will benefit amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research programs.

Since its launch in 2010, the Inspiration series has raised $15 million for amfAR, and has been held in such cities as Los Angeles, São Paulo, Paris, Toronto, and Miami. Inspiration events have seen performances from such legendary artists as Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Jennifer Hudson, Scissor Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Courtney Love, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Sinead O’Connor. Recipients of the event series’ Award of Inspiration have included Jennifer Lopez, Alan Cumming, Valentino Garavani, James Franco, Kevin Huvane, Francisco Costa, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fergie, Michael Kors, Ricky Martin, and Robert Duffy/Marc Jacobs International.

Microsoft is the event’s Official Technology Partner. Calvin Klein Collection is the event’s Gold Sponsor and HBO is the Silver Sponsor. The Plaza is the event’s Hotel Sponsor. Gloria Ferrer is the Wine and Champagne Sponsor. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR.

About amfAR:
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $388 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide. www.amfar.org

About M·A·C Cosmetics
M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1984 and is part of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M·A·C is now sold in 79 countries/territories worldwide. Follow M·A·C on Twitter @MACcosmetics (twitter.com/maccosmetics), become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/maccosmetics), watch M·A·C videos on YouTube and find our M·A·C Senior Artists at macartiststweets.com. For a M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.